Method for forming an interconnect structure

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a method of forming an interconnect structure. The method can include providing a semiconductor substrate; depositing a photoresist and a BARC layer on the semiconductor substrate; forming an opening in the photoresist and the BARC layer and a portion of the semiconductor substrate; depositing a conductive material to fill the opening; and planarizing the conductive material and the semiconductor substrate.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional PatentApplication No. 16/438,875, titled “Method for Forming an InterconnectStructure,” filed on Jun. 12, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/753,805, titled “Method forForming an Interconnect Structure,” filed on Oct. 31, 2018. The entirecontents of the aforementioned applications are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapidgrowth. Technological advances in IC materials and design have producedgenerations of ICs where each generation has smaller and more complexcircuits than the previous generation. However, these advances haveincreased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, forthese advances to be realized, similar developments in IC processing andmanufacturing are needed. In the course of IC evolution, functionaldensity (i.e., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) hasgenerally increased while geometry size (i.e., the smallest component(or line) that can be created using a fabrication process) hasdecreased. This scaling down process generally provides benefits byincreasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs.

Sub-micron multi-level metallization is one of the key technologies forthe next generation of ultra large scale integration (ULSI) insemiconductor IC industry. The multi-level interconnects that lie at theheart of this technology require planarization of interconnect featuresformed in high aspect ratio openings, including contacts, vias, metalinterconnect lines, and other features. Reliable formation of theseinterconnect features is very important to the success of ULSI and tothe continued effort to increase circuit density and quality onindividual substrates and die.

Metal plating and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) are two importantprocesses for forming the interconnect features during IC fabrication.Metal plating is a semiconductor manufacturing process in which a thinlayer of metal coats a substrate. This can be achieved throughelectroplating, which requires an electric current, or throughelectroless plating, which is in autocatalytic chemical process. The CMPprocess combines chemical removal with mechanical polishing. The CMPprocess polishes and removes materials from the semiconductor substrateand can be used to planarize surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the present disclosure are best understood from the followingdetailed description when read with the accompanying figures. Inaccordance with the common practice in the industry, various featuresare not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various featurescan be arbitrarily increased or reduced for clarity of illustration anddiscussion.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method of forming an interconnect structure,in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2F are a series of cross-sectional views ofpartially-fabricated semiconductor structures illustrating a fabricationprocess for forming an interconnect structure, in accordance with someembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an exemplary chemical mechanical polishing(CMP) apparatus used in a fabrication process for forming aninterconnect structure, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing a chemical reaction during a CMP process,in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following disclosure provides many different embodiments, orexamples, for implementing different features of the provided subjectmatter. Specific examples of components and arrangements are describedbelow to simplify the present disclosure. These are, of course, merelyexamples and are not intended to be limiting. For example, the formationof a first feature over a second feature in the description that followscan include embodiments in which the first and second features areformed in direct contact, and can also include embodiments in whichadditional features are disposed between the first and second features,such that the first and second features are not in direct contact. Inaddition, the present disclosure can repeat reference numerals and/orletters in the various examples. This repetition does not in itselfdictate a relationship between the various embodiments and/orconfigurations discussed.

Further, spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,”“above,” “upper,” and the like, can be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatiallyrelative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of thedevice in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. The apparatus can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degreesor at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors usedherein can likewise be interpreted accordingly.

The term “nominal” as used herein refers to a desired, or target, valueof a characteristic or parameter for a component or a process operation,set during the design phase of a product or a process, together with arange of values above and/or below the desired value. The range ofvalues can be due to slight variations in manufacturing processes ortolerances.

The term “horizontal,” as used herein, means nominally parallel to alevel ground.

The term “vertical,” as used herein, means nominally perpendicular to alevel ground.

The terms “substantially” and “about” as used herein indicates the valueof a given quantity that can vary based on a particular technology nodeassociated with the subject semiconductor device. In some embodiments,the terms “substantially” and “about” can indicate a value of a givenquantity that varies within, for example, ±5% of a target (or intended)value (e.g., ±1%, ±2%, ±3%, ±4%, or ±5% of the target (or intended)value).

Metal plating and CMP are two key processes for forming interconnectfeatures during IC fabrication. To form an interconnect structure (e.g.,a metal line, a via, a gate, or work function metal), an opening isformed on a semiconductor substrate using photolithography. Then, aconductive material (e.g., copper, gold, tungsten, or aluminum) isdeposited onto the semiconductor substrate to fill the opening by usinga metal plating (e.g., electroplating or electroless plating) process.After, a CMP process is performed to planarize the surface of thesemiconductor substrate. The CMP process involves placing asemiconductor substrate in a semiconductor substrate carrier in anupside-down position with a surface to be polished (e.g., the surfacesubject to metal plating) facing towards a polishing pad. Thesemiconductor substrate carrier and the semiconductor substrate arerotated as a downward pressure is applied to the semiconductor substrateagainst the polishing pad. A chemical solution, referred to as “a CMPslurry,” is deposited onto the surface of the polishing pad to aid inthe planarization process. Thus, the surface of the semiconductorsubstrate can be planarized using a combination of mechanical (grinding)and chemical (CMP slurry) forces.

However, the metal plating process can accumulate excessive loading ofmetals outside of the opening area and form an uneven surface prior tothe CMP process, which decreases CMP efficiency, reduces globalplanarization, and increases fabrication cost (e.g., increasedconsumption of CMP polishing pad).

This disclosure is directed to a method of forming an interconnectstructure that incorporates deposition and patterning of photoresist /bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) layer on the semiconductorsubstrate during the metal plating process. The patternedphotoresist/BARC layer covered area has a lower conductivity than thosein the opening area without the photoresist/BARC layer. By using theconductivity difference between opening area and other areas (e.g.,photoresist/BARC layer covered area), metal plating can achieve a highplating speed at opening areas and a low plating speed at other areas(e.g., above photoresist/BARC layer covered area). This method canreduce incoming loading after metal plating to achieve higher globalplanarization, improve within wafer/within die (WiD/WiW) loading, andreduce fabrication cost. This method can be implemented to thin filmprocesses (e.g., metal line/via/trench/gate/work function metaldepositions).

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method 100 of forming an interconnectstructure, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. FIGS. 2A-2F are a series of cross-sectional views ofpartially-fabricated semiconductor structures illustrating a fabricationprocess of forming the interconnect structure, in accordance with someembodiments. FIG. 3 is a schematic of an exemplary CMP apparatus used ina fabrication process of forming the interconnect structure, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is aschematic showing a chemical reaction during the CMP process, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Operationsshown in method 100 are not exhaustive; other operations can beperformed as well before, after, or between any of the illustratedoperations. In some embodiments, operations of method 100 can beperformed in a different order. Variations of method 100 are within thescope of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, method 100 starts at operation 102, in which aphotoresist and a BARC layer is deposited on a semiconductor substrate.In some embodiments, the photoresist and the BARC layer is deposited asa single layer (photoresist/BARC layer). In some embodiments, thephotoresist and the BARC layer are deposited as two separate layers.

As illustrated in FIG. 2A, a photoresist/BARC layer 204 is deposited ona semiconductor substrate 202. In some embodiments, semiconductorsubstrate 202 includes a semiconductor body as well as an overlyingdielectric material layer (e.g., oxide) and an overlying metal layer.The semiconductor body can include, but is not limited to, silicon,germanium, an III-V semiconductor material (e.g., a combination of oneor more group III elements with one or more group V elements). The metallayer can include, but is not limited to, germanium, copper, oraluminum. The dielectric material layer can include, but is not limitedto, silicon dioxide.

Semiconductor substrate 202 can be a wafer (e.g., a silicon wafer) andcan be (i) a pure element semiconductor including silicon and germanium;(ii) a compound semiconductor including silicon carbide (SiC), galliumarsenide (GaAs), gallium phosphide (GaP), indium phosphide (InP), indiumarsenide (InAs), gallium arsenide phosphide (GaAsP), aluminum indiumarsenide (AlInAs), aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs), gallium indiumarsenide (GaInAs), gallium indium phosphide (GaInP), gallium indiumarsenide phosphide (GaInAsP), and indium antimonide (InSb); (iii) analloy semiconductor including silicon germanium (SiGe); or (iv) acombination thereof. In some embodiments, semiconductor substrate 202can be a semiconductor on insulator (SOI). In some embodiments,semiconductor substrate 202 can be an epitaxial material.

Prior to deposition of photoresist/BARC layer 204, an optional etch stoplayer (not shown in FIGS. 2A-2F) can be formed on semiconductorsubstrate 202. Etch stop layer can prevent semiconductor substrate 202from being damaged by a subsequent etching step and simultaneouslyprevents semiconductor substrate 202 from being oxidized by exposure toan oxygen containing environment. The etch stop layer can be formed bychemical vapor deposition using an etch stop material including, but notlimited to, silicon nitride. In some embodiments, a low-k dielectriclayer (not shown in FIGS. 2A-2F) can be formed on the etch stop layer.The low-k dielectric layer can include any suitable dielectric material,including, but not limited to, low-k materials having a dielectricconstant of about 3.9 or less to insulate one conductive layer fromanother. Low-k dielectric layer can include interlayer dielectrics(ILDs) or intermetal dielectrics (IMDs). In some embodiments, the low-kdielectric layer can include silicon dioxide. In some embodiments, aprimer layer (not shown in FIGS. 2A-2F) can be formed on thesemiconductor substrate 202 prior to deposition of photoresist/BARClayer 204. The primer layer can be formed of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)and can include a small amount, for example 1%, oftrimethylsilyldiethylamine. In some embodiments, HMDS is not depositedprior to deposition of photoresist/BARC layer 204 to preventphotoresist/BARC layer 204 peeling.

In some embodiments, the photoresist and the BARC layer is deposited asa single layer (e.g., photoresist/BARC layer 204). In some embodiments,a photoresist/BARC material for deposition is formed by introducing aconductive chemical structure into a photoresist polymer by a chemicalmethod. For example, the photoresist/BARC material can be formed byoxidation with chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), or iodine (I). In someembodiments, the photoresist/BARC material can be formed by mixing aconductive material with a photoresist polymer by a physical method. Forexample, the photoresist/BARC material can be formed by adding metalions, such as copper (Cu), tungsten (W), aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co) toCl, Br, or I. The photoresist/BARC material is then deposited onsemiconductor substrate 202 as a single photoresist/BARC layer by adeposition method, such as, spin coating. In some embodiments, thephotoresist/BARC material can include a polymer material selected frompolyimide, polysulfone, polyacetylene, or a combination thereof. Thepolymer material can be oxidized with chlorine, bromine, or iodinevapor. After deposition of photoresist/BARC layer 204, a bakingtreatment can be performed at a temperature between about 100° C. andabout 1000° C. or between about 205° C. and about 1000° C. In someembodiments, a baking treatment can be performed at a temperaturebetween about 200° C. and about 300° C. (e.g., about 200° C., about 220°C., about 240° C., about 260° C., or about 280° C.) to preventphotoresist/BARC layer peeling due to lower warpage stress. In someembodiments, photoresist/BARC layer 204 has a thickness of from about0.1 nm to about 100 μm. In some embodiments, photoresist/BARC layer 204has a thickness of from about 100 nm to about 100 μm (e.g., about 100nm, about 500 nm, about 1 μm, about 10 μm, about 50 μm, or about 100μm).

In some embodiments, the photoresist and the BARC layer are deposited astwo separate layers. A BARC layer can be deposited over semiconductorsubstrate 202 prior to depositing a photoresist layer to modifyelectrical conductivity of the photoresist layer and suppress unintendedlight reflection from a reflective layer below the photoresist. In someembodiments, the BARC layer can include a resinous polymer, a spin-onglass, a spin-on dielectric, or a CVD dielectric. In some embodiments,the BARC layer (e.g., an organic BARC layer) can be spin coated onsemiconductor substrate 202. In some embodiments, the BARC layer can bedeposited on semiconductor substrate 202 as a thin layer with athickness between about 0.1 nm and about 200 nm. After deposition of theBARC layer, a baking treatment can be performed at a temperature betweenabout 100° C. and about 1000° C. In some embodiments, a baking treatmentcan be performed at a temperature between about 200° C. and about 300°C. (e.g., about 200° C., about 220° C., about 240° C., about 260° C., orabout 280° C.) to prevent BARC layer peeling due to lower warpagestress. Next, a photoresist layer is deposited (e.g., by spin coating)on the BARC layer. After deposition of the photoresist layer, a bakingtreatment can be performed at a temperature between about 100° C. andabout 1000° C. or between about 205° C. and about 1000° C. In someembodiments, a baking treatment can be performed at a temperaturebetween about 200° C. and about 300° C. (e.g., about 200° C., about 220°C., about 240° C., about 260° C., or about 280° C.) to preventphotoresist/BARC layer peeling due to lower warpage stress. In someembodiments, the photoresist layer has a thickness between about 0.1 nmand about 100 μm. In some embodiments, the photoresist layer has athickness of from about 100 nm to about 100 μm (e.g., about 100 nm,about 500 nm, about 1 μm, about 10 μm, about 50 μm, or about 100 μm).

In referring to FIG. 1, method 100 proceeds to operation 104, in whichan opening is formed. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, an opening 205 can beformed through photoresist/BARC layer 204 and into a portion ofsemiconductor substrate 202.

Photoresist/BARC layer 204 can be patterned to define an opening using aphotolithographic process. In some embodiments, the photolithographicprocess is a high resolution (less than 0.25) deep UV (DUV)photolithography for optimum pattern resolution. Patternedphotoresist/BARC layer 204 can subsequently be employed as an etch maskin an etch chamber to form opening 205 in semiconductor substrate 202.In some embodiments, the opening defined within photoresist/BARC layer204 has a diameter between about 0.1 nm and about 10 μm. In someembodiments, a top of opening 205 can have a diameter between about 0.1nm and about 20 μm or between about 0.1 nm and about 10 μm. In someembodiments, a bottom of opening 205 can have a diameter between about0.1 nm and about 20 μm or between about 0.1 nm and about 10 μm. In someembodiments, a height of opening 205 can be between about 5 nm and about20 μm or between about 10 nm and about 10 μm. In some embodiments, aside wall of opening 205 can have an angle between about 45 degrees andabout 90 degrees or between about 70 degrees and about 90 degrees withrespect to substrate 202. In some embodiments, the opening defined inphotoresist/BARC layer 204 can have substantially the same diameter astop or the bottom of opening 205. In some embodiments, due to theover-etching of substrate 202, the opening defined in photoresist/BARClayer 204 can be smaller than the top or the bottom of opening 205.

In some embodiments, the photoresist and the BARC layer are deposited astwo separate layers. A photolithographic process can be used to form anopening in the photoresist layer to form a patterned photoresist layer.The patterned photoresist layer can subsequently be employed as an etchmask in an etch chamber to form an opening in the BARC layer and thesemiconductor substrate.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2C, a barrier layer 206 canbe deposited on photoresist/BARC layer 204 and in opening 205, to lineopening 205 and eliminate potential metal diffusion. Barrier layer 206can include, but is not limited to, tantalum (Ta), tantalum nitride(TaN), titanium (Ti), titanium nitride (TiN), tungsten nitride (WN),chromium (Cr), chromium nitride (CrN), tantalum-silicon-nitride (TaSiN),titanium-silicon-nitride (TiSiN), and tungsten-silicon-nitride (WSiN).In some embodiments, barrier layer 206 is deposited by plasma enhancedchemical vapor deposition (PECVD). In some embodiments, barrier layer206 is deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD). In some embodiments,barrier layer 206 has a thickness between about 200 nm to about 1000 nm(e.g., about 200 nm, about 400 nm, about 600 nm, about 800 nm, or about1000 nm).

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2D, a seed layer 208 can bedeposited on barrier layer 206, to enhance bonding between metal layerand semiconductor substrates. Seed layer 208 can include, but is notlimited to, Ti, TiN, tungsten titanium (TiW), Ta, TaN, tungsten (W),aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and palladium (Pd). In some embodiments,seed layer 208 is deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD) orchemical vapor deposition (CVD). In some embodiments, seed layer 208 hasa thickness between about 0.1 nm to about 100 nm. In some embodiments,seed layer 208 has a thickness between about 5 nm and about 50 nm (e.g.,about 5 nm, about 10 nm, about 20 nm, about 30 nm, about 40 nm, or about50 nm).

Method 100 proceeds to operation 106, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in whicha conductive material is deposited to fill the opening. In someembodiments, depositing the conductive material is performed by using ametal plating process. Metal plating can be performed by electroplatingor electroless plating. As illustrated in FIG. 2E, a conductive material210 is deposited into opening 205 (as shown in FIG. 2D) to fill theopening. In some embodiments, conductive material 210 is deposited intoopening 205 by electroplating. Conductive material 210 can include, butis not limited to, Ti, TiN, TiW, Ta, TaN, W, Al, Cu, and Pd.

Electroplating is a process that uses an electric current to reducedissolved metal cations so that the dissolved metal cations form a thincoherent metal coating on an electrode. Electroplating can also includeelectrical oxidation of anions on a solid substrate. Electroplating caninclude an electrodeposition process. The part to be plated (e.g.,semiconductor substrate 202) is the cathode of the circuit. In someembodiments, the anode is made of the metal to be plated onsemiconductor substrate 202. Both components can be immersed in anelectrolyte solution containing one or more dissolved metal salts, aswell as other ions, that permit the flow of electricity. A power supplyprovides a current to the anode, oxidizing the metal atoms that itcomprises and allowing them to dissolve in the solution. At the cathode,the dissolved metal ions in the electrolyte solution are reduced at theinterface between the solution and the cathode, such that they “plateout” onto the cathode (e.g., semiconductor substrate 202). In someembodiments, the electroplating is performed under a power supply ofdirect current, alternating current, or a combination thereof. In someembodiments, the electroplating is performed under a power supplybetween about 1 watt and about 10000 watts. In some embodiments, theelectroplating is performed under a power supply between about 10 wattsand about 1000 watts (e.g., about 10 watts, about 100 watts, about 200watts, about 500 watts, or about 1000 watts). In some embodiments, thecurrent density is between about 0.01 A/m and about 10000 A/m. In someembodiments, the current density is between about 10 A/m and about 1000A/m (e.g., about 10 A/m, about 100 A/m, about 200 A/m, about 500 A/m, orabout 1000 A/m). In some embodiments, the voltage is between about 0.01volt and about 10000 volts. In some embodiments, the voltage is betweenabout 10 volts and about 1000 volts (e.g., about 10 volts, about 100volts, about 200 volts, about 500 volts, or about 1000 volts). In someembodiments, the electroplating is performed under a metal platingtemperature between about 0° C. and about 600° C. In some embodiments,the electroplating is performed under a metal plating temperaturebetween about 100° C. and about 500° C. (e.g., about 100° C., about 200°C., about 300° C., about 400° C., or about 500° C.).

Electroplating can precisely control the thickness and morphology of thedeposited conductive material layer by adjusting the electrochemicalparameters. Plating speed is correlated with conductivity of the part tobe plated. In some embodiments, the conductivity of the seed layer overphotoresist/BARC layer 204 is between about 1 and about 99×10⁶ S·m⁻¹. Insome embodiments, the conductivity of the seed layer in opening 205 isbetween about 10000 and about 99×10⁶ S·m⁻¹. In some embodiments, theratio of the conductivity of the seed layer in opening 205 to theconductivity of the seed layer over photoresist/BARC layer 204 isbetween about 100 and about 10000. In some embodiments, the ratio of theconductivity of the seed layer in opening 205 to the conductivity of theseed layer over photoresist/BARC layer 204 is between about 10 and about1000. The conductivity difference results in good depositionselectivity. In some embodiments, the ratio of the thickness ofdeposited conductive layer in opening 205 to the thickness of depositedconductive layer over photoresist/BARC layer 204 is between about 10 andabout 10000. In some embodiments, the ratio of the thickness ofdeposited conductive layer in opening 205 to the thickness of depositedconductive layer over photoresist/BARC layer 204 can be between about 10and about 1000.

In some embodiments, electroplating can also include a pulseelectroplating process. Pulse electroplating process involves the swiftalternating of the potential or current between two different valuesresulting in a series of pulses of equal amplitude, duration andpolarity, separated by zero current. By changing the pulse amplitude andwidth, the deposited film's composition and thickness can be changed.

In referring to FIG. 1, method 100 proceeds to operation 108, in which aplanarization process is performed. In referring to FIGS. 2E and 2F, theplanarization process is performed to remove photoresist/BARC layer 204,barrier layer 206, seed layer 208, and planarize the interconnectstructure (e.g., conductive material 210) and semiconductor substrate202.

In some embodiments, the planarization process is a CMP processperformed using a CMP apparatus. FIG. 3 is a schematic of a CMPapparatus 300, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentdisclosure. CMP apparatus 300 can include a semiconductor substratecarrier 310, a retainer ring 315, a polishing pad 330, a CMP slurrydelivery arm (not shown in FIG. 3), a pad conditioner 350 positionedover polishing pad 330, and a platen 360. Semiconductor substratecarrier 310 can be configured to hold and rotate a semiconductorsubstrate 320. Retainer ring 315 can be configured to reduce lateralmovement of semiconductor substrate 320 during the CMP process.Polishing pad 330 can be configured to polish semiconductor substrate320. In some embodiments, both polishing pad 330 and semiconductorsubstrate carrier 310 rotate during the CMP process. In someembodiments, only one of polishing pad 330 and semiconductor substratecarrier 310 rotates during the CMP process. The CMP slurry delivery armcan be configured to deliver and dispense a CMP slurry 340 ontopolishing pad 330. Pad conditioner 350 can be configured to conditionpolishing pad 330 (e.g., roughen and texturize the surface of polishingpad 330). Platen 360 can be configured to support and rotate polishingpad 330.

In operation 108, the planarization process (e.g., CMP process) caninclude securing the semiconductor substrate onto a semiconductorsubstrate carrier, pressing the semiconductor substrate against apolishing pad, dispensing a CMP slurry onto the polishing pad, androtating the semiconductor substrate carrier or the polishing pad.

In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate (e.g., after metalplating) is secured onto a semiconductor substrate carrier (e.g.,semiconductor substrate carrier 310 as shown in FIG. 3). Thesemiconductor substrate is secured in the semiconductor substratecarrier at least partially by a retainer ring (e.g., retainer ring 315as shown in FIG. 3), which can keep the semiconductor substrate in apredetermined position and prevent detachment of the semiconductorsubstrate during the CMP process. In some embodiments, a vacuum can beapplied to help secure the semiconductor substrate on the semiconductorsubstrate carrier.

In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate is pressed against apolishing pad (e.g., polishing pad 330 as shown in FIG. 3). During theCMP process, the polishing pad can be pressed and brought into contactwith a surface of the semiconductor substrate at a specific pressure.The pressure with which the semiconductor substrate is pressed againstthe polishing pad can be determined by moving the semiconductorsubstrate carrier in a direction perpendicular to a surface of thepolishing pad. The retainer ring in the semiconductor substrate carrieris also pressed against the polishing pad. In some embodiments, thepressure (e.g., down force) is between about 0.1 psi and about 100 psi.

In some embodiments, a CMP slurry (e.g., CMP slurry 340 as shown in FIG.3) is dispensed onto the polishing pad via a CMP slurry delivery arm.The composition of the CMP slurry depends on the type of material on thesurface of semiconductor substrate undergoing the CMP process. In someembodiments, the CMP slurry can include a first reactant, an abrasive, afirst surfactant, and a solvent. The first reactant can be a chemicalthat reacts with a material of the semiconductor substrate to assist thepolishing pad in grinding away the material, such as an oxidizer. Theabrasive can be any suitable particles that, in conjunction with thepolishing pad, aids in the planarization of the semiconductor substrate.The first surfactant can be utilized to lower the surface tension of theCMP slurry and disperse the first reactant and the abrasive within theCMP slurry and also prevent or reduce the abrasive from agglomeratingduring the CMP process. The solvent can be utilized to combine the firstreactant, the abrasive, and the first surfactant and allow the mixtureto be moved and dispersed onto the polishing pad. In some embodiments,the CMP slurry can include hydrogen peroxide, hydroxylamine, periodicacid, ammonium persulfate, other periodates, iodates, peroxomono,sulfates, peroxymonosulfuric acid, perborates, malonamide, a nitric acid(HNO₃), colloidal silica (e.g., silicon oxide), fumed silica, aluminumoxide, cerium oxide, carbon particles, titanium dioxide, polycrystallinediamond, polymethacrylate, polymethacrylic, or a combination thereof. Insome embodiments, a flow rate of the CMP slurry from the CMP slurrydelivery arm is constant during the CMP process. In some embodiments,the CMP slurry flow rate from the CMP slurry delivery arm is variable.In some embodiments, flow rate of the CMP slurry from the CMP slurrydelivery arm is between about 1 ml/min and about 1000 ml/min. In someembodiments, prior to the CMP process of the semiconductor substrate,time is allotted to warm the polishing pad and facilitate flow ofpolishing slurry from a CMP slurry container to the CMP slurry deliveryarm. This can enhance polishing uniformity across multiple semiconductorsubstrates polished using the CMP apparatus (e.g., CMP apparatus 300 asshown in FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing the chemical reaction between the CMPslurry and the semiconductor substrate during the CMP process, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. H⁺ and OH⁻in water in slurry 440 can unite the surface of abrasive 442 (e.g.,cerium oxide (CeO₂)) with semiconductor substrate 402. A chemicalreaction occurs between CeO₂ and the surface of semiconductor substrate402: —Ce—OH+—O-BARC-→Ce—O-BARC+H₂O. Bonds produced by hydration reactionare broken during the chemical reaction. The surface of semiconductorsubstrate 402 unites with the CeO₂ surface through oxygen atom, whichpromotes material removal and the semiconductor substrate planarization.

In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate carrier or thepolishing pad is rotated and/or translated. In some embodiments, thesemiconductor substrate carrier rotates with respect to the polishingpad. In some embodiments, the semiconductor substrate carrier istranslated with respect to the polishing pad. A rate of movement of thesemiconductor substrate carrier can be constant or variable. Thesemiconductor substrate carrier can remain stationary. Alternatively,the polishing pad can rotate with respect to the semiconductor substratecarrier. A direction of rotation of the polishing pad can be opposite toa direction of rotation of the semiconductor substrate carrier. Further,the polishing pad can have a rate of rotation equal to, or differentfrom, a rate of rotation of the semiconductor substrate carrier. Thepolishing pad can be several times the diameter of the semiconductorsubstrate and the semiconductor substrate is kept off-center on thepolishing pad during the CMP process to prevent polishing a non-planarsurface onto the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substratecan also be rotated (e.g., by a rotatable shaft) to prevent polishing ataper into the semiconductor substrate. Although the axis of rotation ofthe semiconductor substrate and the axis of rotation of polishing padare not co-linear, the axes are parallel. In some embodiments, therotation rate of the polishing pad is between about 10 and about 300rpm.

In some embodiments, a CMP stop layer can be deposited on semiconductorsubstrate 202 prior to the deposition of photoresist/BARC layer 204. TheCMP stop layer can include, but is not limited to, Ti, TaN, TiN,ruthenium (Ru), cobalt (Co), carbon (C), silicon nitride (SiN_(x)),silicon oxide (SiO_(x)), or a combination thereof. In some embodiments,the CMP stop layer has a thickness between about 0.1 nm and about 50 nm.In some embodiments, the CMP stop layer has a thickness between about 1nm and about 20 nm (e.g., about 1 nm, about 5 nm, about 10 nm, about 15nm, or about 20 nm). In some embodiments, slurry selectivity of thephotoresist/BARC layer to the CMP stop layer is between about 0.01 andabout 2000. In some embodiments, slurry selectivity of thephotoresist/BARC layer to the CMP stop layer is between about 0.01 andabout 0.5 (e.g., about 0.01, about 0.02, about 0.05, about 0.1, about0.2, or about 0.5). In some embodiments, slurry selectivity of thephotoresist/BARC layer to the CMP stop layer is between about 5 andabout 1000 (e.g., about 5, about 10, about 100, about 200, about 500, orabout 1000). In some embodiments, the CMP process stops in/on thephotoresist / BARC layer. In some embodiments, the CMP process stopsin/on the CMP stop layer.

In some embodiments, the polishing pad is conditioned with a padconditioner (e.g., pad conditioner 350 as shown in FIG. 3). Thepolishing pad, which has a porous structure and a rough polishingsurface, can become smooth with a decreased surface roughness. Tomaintain the polishing rate, the polishing pad needs to be conditionedto maintain the surface roughness. The pad conditioner can include aconditioning disk (e.g., conditioning disk 352 as shown in FIG. 3)configured to roughen a surface of the polishing pad, and a conditioningarm (e.g., conditioning arm 354 as shown in FIG. 3) configured totranslate and rotate the conditioning disk.

In some embodiments, performing the planarization process can include aphotoresist/BARC removal process. In some embodiments, performing theplanarization process can include a photoresist/BARC removal processwithout a CMP process. The photoresist/BARC removal process can includea dry etch back process and/or a wet stripping process ofphotoresist/BARC layer 204.

The dry etch back process can include a plasma etching. Plasma etcherscan operate in several modes by adjusting the parameters of the plasma.The plasma produces energetic free radicals, neutrally charged, thatreact at the surface of the semiconductor substrate. The etching gas forthe plasma can include oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, or a combinationthereof. The etching gas can flow at a flow rate between about 1 ml/minand about 2000 ml/min. The plasma etching can be performed under apressure between about 1 mTorr and about 100 mTorr. The source power canbe between about 1 watt and about 5000 watts. The bias power can bebetween about 1 watt and about 500 watts. In some embodiments, plasmaetching is performed under a temperature between about 280° C. and about1000° C.

The dry etch back process can also include ion milling, reactive-ionetching, deep reactive-ion etching, or a combination thereof. Ionmilling, or sputter etching, uses lower pressures (e.g., as low as 10⁻⁴Torr). Ion milling bombards the wafer with energetic ions of noble gases(e.g., Ar⁺), which knock atoms from the substrate by transferringmomentum. Reactive-ion etching operates under conditions intermediatebetween sputter and plasma etching (between 10⁻³ and 10⁻¹ Torr). Deepreactive-ion etching can modify the reactive-ion etching technique toproduce deep, narrow features. In some embodiments, the dry etch backcan remove a thickness between about 0.1 nm and about 200 nm.

The present disclosure provides a method of forming an interconnectstructure that incorporates deposition and patterning of photoresist /bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) layer on the semiconductorsubstrate prior to a metal plating process. The photoresist/BARC layerreduces conductivity. By using a conductivity difference betweenopenings and other areas (e.g., areas covered with photoresist/BARClayer), metal plating can achieve a high plating speed in openings and alow plating speed at areas surrounding the openings (e.g., abovephotoresist/BARC layer covered area). This method can reduce incomingloading after metal plating to achieve higher global planarization aftera planarization process (e.g., CMP process), improve productivity, andreduce fabrication cost.

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide amethod of forming an interconnect structure. The method can includeproviding a semiconductor substrate; depositing a photoresist and a BARClayer on the semiconductor substrate; forming an opening in thephotoresist and the BARC layer and a portion of the semiconductorsubstrate; depositing a conductive material to fill the opening; andplanarizing the conductive material and the semiconductor substrate.

In some embodiments, a method includes depositing a photoresist and aBARC layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming an opening in thephotoresist and the BARC layer and the semiconductor substrate;depositing, via an electroplating process, a conductive material in theopening; and planarizing the semiconductor substrate.

In some embodiments, a method of planarizing a substrate includesdepositing a photoresist and a BARC layer on a substrate; depositing abarrier layer and a seed layer on the substrate; forming an interconnectstructure in a portion of the substrate by depositing a conductivematerial to fill an opening structure on the substrate; and performing aCMP process to planarize the interconnect structure and the substrate.

It is to be appreciated that the Detailed Description section, and notthe Abstract of the Disclosure, is intended to be used to interpret theclaims. The Abstract of the Disclosure section can set forth one or morebut not all exemplary embodiments contemplated and thus, are notintended to be limiting to the subjoined claims.

The foregoing disclosure outlines features of several embodiments sothat those skilled in the art can better understand the aspects of thepresent disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that theycan readily use the present disclosure as a basis for designing ormodifying other processes and structures for carrying out the samepurposes and/or achieving the same advantages of the embodimentsintroduced herein. Those skilled in the art will also realize that suchequivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of thepresent disclosure, and that they can make various changes,substitutions, and alterations herein without departing from the spiritand scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: depositing, on a semiconductor substrate, a photoresist layer comprising a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) material; forming an opening in the photoresist layer and a portion of the semiconductor substrate; depositing a conductive material in the opening and over the photoresist layer; and planarizing the conductive material and the semiconductor substrate.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a photoresist comprising the BARC material by introducing a conductive material into a photoresist polymer, wherein depositing the photoresist layer comprises spin coating the photoresist comprising the BARC material.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a photoresist comprising the BARC material by oxidizing a photoresist polymer with chlorine, bromine, or iodine vapor, wherein depositing the photoresist layer comprises spin coating the photoresist comprising the BARC material.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: forming a photoresist comprising the BARC material by adding metal ions to chlorine, bromine, or iodine in a photoresist polymer, wherein depositing the photoresist layer comprises spin coating the photoresist comprising the BARC material.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the metal ions comprise copper, tungsten, aluminum, or cobalt.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: depositing a barrier layer and a seed layer on the photoresist layer and in the opening.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein planarizing the conductive material and the semiconductor substrate comprises removing the photoresist layer, performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, or a combination thereof.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein removing the photoresist layer comprises performing a plasma etching process by an etching gas selected from oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, or a combination thereof.
 9. A method, comprising: disposing a photoresist and a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) layer on a semiconductor substrate; forming an opening in the photoresist and the BARC layer and the semiconductor substrate; electroplating a conductive material in the opening and over the photoresist and the BARC layer; and planarizing the semiconductor substrate.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein disposing the photoresist and the BARC layer on the semiconductor substrate comprises disposing the photoresist and the BARC layer as a single layer.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein disposing the photoresist and the BARC layer on the semiconductor substrate comprises disposing the photoresist and the BARC layer as two separate layers.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein electroplating the conductive material comprises performing an electroplating process at a temperature between about 0° C. and about 600° C.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein electroplating the conductive material comprises performing an electroplating process with a current density between about 0.01 A/m and about 10000 A/m and a voltage between about 0.01 volt and about 10000 volts.
 14. A method, comprising: disposing, on a substrate, a photoresist layer comprising a bottom anti-reflective coating (BARC) material; removing a portion of the substrate and the photoresist layer on the portion of the substrate to form a trench; disposing a barrier layer and a seed layer over the photoresist layer and in the trench; forming an interconnect structure over the barrier layer and the seed layer and in the trench; and planarizing the interconnect structure and the substrate.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: forming a photoresist comprising the BARC material by introducing a conductive material into a photoresist polymer, wherein disposing the photoresist layer comprises spin coating the photoresist comprising the BARC material.
 16. The method of claim 14, further comprising: forming a photoresist comprising the BARC material by oxidizing a photoresist polymer with chlorine, bromine, or iodine vapor, wherein disposing the photoresist layer comprises spin coating the photoresist comprising the BARC material.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising: forming a photoresist comprising the BARC material by adding metal ions to chlorine, bromine, or iodine in a photoresist polymer, wherein disposing the photoresist layer comprises spin coating the photoresist comprising the BARC material.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the metal ions comprise copper, tungsten, aluminum, or cobalt.
 19. The method of claim 14, wherein planarizing the interconnect structure and the substrate comprises removing the photoresist layer, performing a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process, or a combination thereof.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein removing the photoresist layer comprises performing a plasma etching process with an etching gas selected from oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, or a combination thereof. 